The Efferent Ductules: Structure and Functions

Hess, Rex A.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-0679-9_4

Cited by 86 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 200 publications

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“…and Sipahutar et al but ERa has greater specificity, with only two regions of the male reproductive system consistently being demonstrated to express ERa in every species, namely Leydig cells of testis and epithelium of efferent ductules, the region connecting rete testis to the head of the epididymis Hess 2002). Immunohistochemical staining for ERa is more intense in efferent ductule epithelium than in any other tissue and its mRNA expression in this tissue is 3.5-fold higher than even in uterus (Hess et al 1997b), which traditionally has been the standard for ER expression.…”

Section: Oestrogen Receptors In Testismentioning

confidence: 95%

“…It is also now well recognized that testicular and germ cell oestrogen has a direct role in the regulation of downstream physiology, as the highest concentration of ERa is found in epithelial cells lining the efferent ductules Hess 2003), whose primary function is to reabsorb luminal fluid and increase the concentration of sperm before they enter the epididymis (Hess 2002). However, evidence for oestrogen having a direct action on the seminiferous epithelium has been lacking.…”

Section: Oestrogens and The Regulation Of Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Oestrogens and spermatogenesis

Carreau

Hess

2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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263

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The role of oestrogens in male reproductive tract physiology has for a long time been a subject of debate. The testis produces significant amounts of oestrogenic hormones, via aromatase, and oestrogen receptors (ERs)a (ESR1) and ERb (ESR2) are selectively expressed in cells of the testis as well as the epididymal epithelium, depending upon species. This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning the presence and activity of aromatase and ERs in testis and sperm and the potential roles that oestrogens may have in mammalian spermatogenesis. Data show that physiology of the male gonad is in part under the control of a balance of androgens and oestrogens, with aromatase serving as a modulator.

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Section: Oestrogen Receptors In Testismentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Oestrogens and The Regulation Of Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Oestrogens and spermatogenesis

Carreau

Hess

2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Self Cite

263

220

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“…The efferent ductules have high concentrations of AR (Schleicher et al 1984, Roselli et al 1991 and bind DHT (Schleicher et al 1984), but in contrast with the initial segment, there is little or no 5a-reductase activity (Roselli et al 1991) and the testosterone concentration in the luminal fluid (29 ng/ml) is much higher than that of DHT (2 ng/ml) (Vreeburg 1975). Accordingly, very little androgen dependence has been described for the efferent ductules (Goyal & Hrudka 1980, Ilio & Hess 1994, Hess 2002. Considering that efferent ductules express greater amounts of ER than the initial segment of the epididymis (Hess et al 1997b, Mansour et al 2001, it is reasonable to suggest that estrogens entering the efferent ductules may play a major role in ductal epithelial function, similar to the role that DHT plays in the initial segment of the epididymis (Robaire & Viger 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is little known about the hormonal regulation of the AR and ER in efferent ductules (Ilio & Hess 1994, Hess 2002. The only study to have focused on ER regulation in efferent ductules was carried out in the goat (Goyal et al 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential hormonal regulation of estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ and androgen receptor expression in rat efferent ductules

et al. 2004

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Estrogen receptors, in addition to the androgen receptor (AR), are expressed at high levels in efferent ductules of the male reproductive tract and it is now well recognized that estrogen receptor (ER) a is required for the maintenance of normal structure and function of the ductules. However, little is known regarding the hormonal regulation of the receptors themselves in the male. In the present study, efferent ductule ligation and castration, followed by replacement with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or estradiol was used to investigate the relative importance of circulating and luminal sources of steroid for the modulation of ERa, ERb and AR in rat efferent ductules. Uni-or bilateral castration and ligation did not affect the expression of ERa and ERb, but bilateral castration caused down-regulation of AR. Replacement with DHT and testosterone alone or in combination with estradiol caused the recovery of AR expression to control levels. A slight recovery of AR was also observed after estrogen replacement. ERa expression was decreased to nearly undetectable levels after estrogen replacement. On the other hand, ERb did not show evident effects following any of the treatments, suggesting a constitutive expression of this receptor. This differential modulation of the steroid hormone receptors highlights the importance of maintaining a physiological androgen-estrogen balance to regulate the structure and function of efferent ductules in the male.

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“…Best known for its hyase activity, it degrades the ECM surrounding the oocyte during fertilization [12] . In the epididymis and accessory organs, murine SPAM1 is a secretory protein [9,13,14] : the method of secretion is likely to be apocrine [15] , as it is released in the form of membranous vesicles after blebbing of the epithelial cells [16] . Earlier we documented the presence of SPAM1 protein in the murine kidney where it has the same molecular weight (MW) as that in the epididymis and testis [17] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression of SPAM1 (PH-20) in the Murine Kidney Is Not Accompanied by Hyaluronidase Activity: Evidence for Potential Roles in Fluid and Water Reabsorption

Grigorieva

Griffiths²,

Zhang³

et al. 2007

Kidney Blood Press Res

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Background:A role for Sperm Adhesion Molecule 1 (SPAM1) hyaluronidase in murine kidney, where Spam1 transcript levels have been reported to be higher in males, has not been clarified. Methods:Spam1 RNA and protein were studied using RT-PCR, in situhybridization, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and hyaluronic acid substrate gel electrophoresis. Urine volume and osmolality were studied in wild-type and Spam1 null mice. Results: While RT-PCR supported a tendency of higher RNA expression in males, no sex difference for the protein was detectable in the cortex, medulla, and urine. Transcripts were predominantly localized in the proximal tubules and glomeruli, with lower levels in the medulla. Similarly, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry revealed that SPAM1 is more abundant in the cortex. Hyaluronidase activity was absent at neutral and acidic pH: suggesting non-enzymatic role(s) for SPAM1. Wild-type and Spam1 null mice given free access to water showed significantly reduced urine volumes (p < 0.01; n = 12) in the latter.Baseline urine osmolality was similar in both, leading to a significantly (p < 0.05) lower osmolar output in the nulls. After water deprivation (24 h), a significant (p < 0.01) increase in urine osmolality was seen only for wild-type mice. Conclusion: SPAM1 is implicated in fluid reabsorption and urine concentration.

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The Efferent Ductules: Structure and Functions

Cited by 86 publications

References 200 publications

Oestrogens and spermatogenesis

Oestrogens and spermatogenesis

Differential hormonal regulation of estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ and androgen receptor expression in rat efferent ductules

Expression of SPAM1 (PH-20) in the Murine Kidney Is Not Accompanied by Hyaluronidase Activity: Evidence for Potential Roles in Fluid and Water Reabsorption

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